Brain Health Canada and RBC address crisis around youth mental health

BY PAUL JUNOR

Mental health experts and advocates have recognized that there is a crisis in Canada with respect to youth mental health. This was revealed in an article published in the Globe and Mail (October 7^th, 2021). Dr Tamara Vanderwal, a Vancouver-based child psychiatrist has worked tirelessly to help paediatric patients who are faced with mental health challenges. “I have this unique position where I’m both providing care, and understanding what children and families are dealing with along with figuring out the underlying causes.”

In her work with children, she knows first-hand the challenges of trying to understand how psychiatric illnesses develop and how to treat them effectively. She states, “We’re still landing on the moon. There is a huge gap that we’re trying to close in understanding mental health, we need to figure out the basics.”

Dr Catherine Ferland, who works with the non-profit foundation Brain Health, acknowledges the seriousness of the mental health crisis among youth. She states, “Half of the mental health burden is in Canadians aged 15 to 29.” This has been exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in higher levels of depression, anxiety and mental health problems in young people. This will undoubtedly get worse if left untreated among youth, as they get older.

Dr Ferland notes, “There is an actual crisis in society when we talk about mental health. It is a critical time to act.”  It is because of the urgency of this youth mental health crisis that Brain Health Canada, and RBC Foundation on Youth Mental Health have joined together to provide financial support for a research competition to develop a new mental health platform.

Dr Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Health also spoke to the work they are doing,

“We are making a powerful call to action to the research community. This research program is an opportunity for new and emerging approaches to collaborate, develop and share solutions for today’s youth mental health challenges. We must ensure we are equipped to meet the rising demand for youth mental health resources, services and treatment options.”

This program will involve the accumulation of scientific information about youth mental health and the development of a national data bank that will have materials accessible to clinicians, researchers, social workers, and caregivers. Furthermore, there will be attempts to foster collaboration and interaction with diverse research groups and the utilization of a translation expert to put together interpret research in order to enhance accessibility.

Mark Beckles, Vice-President, Social Impact and Innovation, RBC states,

“Our commitment to youth mental well-being is focused on prevention and early intervention programs that support young people with access to knowledge, support and care, when and where they need it. Through our partnership with Brain Canada, RBC Future Launch will help address the barriers often faced by young people when trying to access the mental health support they need.”

Dr Vanderwall is optimistic that this research will provide vital information that will determine the best psychiatric treatment for young psychiatric patients. She states, “It will tell us what they need and how they will do it. For the kids who receive treatment, it will make a huge difference, and it will help us allocate resources in a much more efficient way.”